There's plenty to see and do at the estuary.
The estuary walkway provides beautiful views, and there are signs along the way providing information about some of the birds you might see.
There is a lot of interesting wildlife at the estuary. As well as birds, the estuary is also home to some interesting plants and is an important habitat for native fish.
The Manawatū Estuary Trust enjoys giving people the opportunity to learn more about this amazing environ
Kōtuku/White Heron Ardea modesta
Native. Threatened-nationally critical.
While widespread in Australia, the South Pacific and Asia where it is common, there is only one breeding colony in Aotearoa New Zealand and that is at Waitangiroto Nature Reserve in Westland. This was already established when discovered in 1865 and the population is currently thought to be around 200. During the winter these disperse around the country. Individuals are occasionally to be seen at the Estuary.
It is an elegant species with pure white plumage and a bright yellow beak and striking yellow eye. It is a revered species because of its elusiveness that in Māoridom there is a saying "he kōtuku rerenga tahi" which literally means the bird of a single flight or once in a lifetime sighting.
There are several species which Kōtuku could be confused with but at nearly a metre tall, size alone can be a distinguishing feature. The similar but much smaller Little Egret has a black bill.
Diet consists of small fish, crabs, frogs and aquatic invertebrates.